Noncontact thermometry systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes determining that a temperature measurement device is located within at least one of a distance range and an alignment range of a portion of a measurement site of the patient, providing an indication to a user of the device that the device is located within the at least one of the distance range and the alignment range, and determining, with the device, a first temperature of a first location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device. Such a method also includes determining, with the device, a second temperature of a second location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device, wherein the second location is different from the first location. Such a method further includes determining a third temperature of the patient based on the first and second temperatures.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for temperaturedetermination and, in particular, to systems and methods for determininga patient's core temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Temperature is an important vital sign in patient evaluation. Physicianscommonly use a variety of methods for determining patient temperatureincluding, for example, obtaining temperature measurements with athermometer. While thermometers utilizing mercury have been in existencefor many years, modern thermometers typically employ one or moreelectronic sensors configured to measure patient temperature. Suchsensors may take one or more measurements over a relatively short periodof time. Based on these measurements, the thermometer may generate anestimated internal and/or core temperature of the patient.

Existing non-contact thermometers typically employ a sensing elementconfigured to measure the temperature of, for example, the patient'sforehead, temple, and/or other external body surfaces without contactingthese surfaces, and to estimate the patient's core temperature based onsuch measurements. Such non-contact thermometers are described inco-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/450,446, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. While theaccuracy of measurements taken with existing non-contact thermometers ishighly dependent upon the distance and alignment of the device relativeto the external body surface, such thermometers are typically notconfigured to assist the user in properly orienting the device prior tomeasurement. Thus, measurements taken with such devices are prone tosignificant error, and existing non-contact thermometers are not highlyreliable as a means of patient evaluation.

The example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towardovercoming at least the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofdetermining a temperature of a patient includes determining that atemperature measurement device is located within at least one of adistance range and an alignment range of a first portion of ameasurement site of the patient, providing an indication to a user ofthe device that the device is located within the at least one of thedistance range and the alignment range, and determining, with thedevice, a first temperature of a first location on at least one of thefirst portion and a second portion of the measurement site, withoutcontacting the patient with the device. Such a method also includesdetermining, with the device, a second temperature of a second locationon at least one of the first portion and the second portion of themeasurement site, without contacting the patient with the device,wherein the second location is different from the first location. Such amethod further includes determining a third temperature of the patientbased on the first and second temperatures.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperaturemeasurement device includes a first sensor configured to determine thatthe device is located within at least one of a distance range and analignment range of a first portion of a measurement site of a patient,and at least one additional sensor configured to determine a firsttemperature of a first location on at least one of the first portion anda second portion of the measurement site and a second temperature of asecond location on at least one of the first portion and the secondportion of the measurement site. In such a device, the at least oneadditional sensor determines the first and second temperatures withoutcontacting the patient, and the first and second temperatures aredetermined in response to the first sensor determining that the deviceis located within the at least one of the distance range and thealignment range. Such a device further includes a controller incommunication with the first sensor and the at least one additionalsensor. The controller is programmed to determine a third temperature ofthe patient based on the first and second temperatures.

In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method ofmanufacturing a temperature measurement device includes providing afirst sensor configured to determine that the device is located withinat least one of a distance range and an alignment range of a firstportion of a measurement site of a patient, and providing at least oneadditional sensor configured to determine a first temperature of a firstlocation on at least one of the first portion and a second portion ofthe measurement site and a second temperature of a second location on atleast one of the first portion and the second portion of the measurementsite. In such device the at least one additional sensor determines thefirst and second temperatures without contacting the patient, and thefirst and second temperatures are determined in response to the firstsensor determining that the device is located within the at least one ofthe distance range and the alignment range. Such a method also includesproviding a controller in communication with the first sensor and the atleast one additional sensor, and programming the controller to determinea third temperature of the patient based on the first and secondtemperatures.

In yet another example embodiment, a method of determining a temperatureof a patient includes determining that a temperature measurement deviceis located within at least one of a distance range and an alignmentrange of a portion of a measurement site of the patient, providing anindication to a user of the device that the device is located within theat least one of the distance range and the alignment range, anddetermining, with the device, a temperature from an inner-canthal regionof the patient, without contacting the patient with the device. Themethod also includes determining a core temperature of the patient basedon the temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a temperature measurement system according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first view of an example temperature measurementdevice associated with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second view of the temperature measurement deviceshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third view of the temperature measurement deviceshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating various positions of anexample temperature measurement device relative to a plane.

FIG. 6 is another schematic diagram illustrating various positions of anexample temperature measurement device relative to a plane.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart outlining an example method of useassociated with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example temperature measurement system 100 of thepresent disclosure including a temperature measurement device 10. Thetemperature measurement device 10 of the system 100 may include a firstsensor 12 configured to determine that the device 10 is located within apredetermined and/or desired distance range of a patient 14. Such adistance range may be characterized by a distance D, and the distancerange and/or the distance D may extend from a plane A substantiallydefined by the device 10 to a plane B substantially defined by thepatient 14. For example, as will be described in greater detail below,such a distance range may extend from the plane A to a plane Bsubstantially defined by at least a portion 34 of the face of thepatient 14. In still further examples, such a distance range may extendfrom the plane A to a plane B substantially defined by any other portionand/or “measurement site” formed by an external surface of the patient'sskin, such as the face, forehead, temple, ears (such as the outer orinner ear), eyes, nose, lips, neck, wrist, chin, open mouth, and/orother like skin surfaces. Such measurement sites may also include theoral cavity, rectal cavity, axilla area, ear drum, groin, sub-clavian,and/or other known body cavities or areas. In example embodiments, theplane B may comprise and/or be substantially parallel to a coronal planeof the patient 14. Additionally, the plane B may extend substantiallyparallel to a spinal axis E of the patient 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature measurement device 10 may alsoinclude an imaging device 16 configured to assist in forming an image ofthe patient 14, and at least one additional sensor 18 a . . . 18 n(collectively, “sensors 18”) separate from the first sensor 12 and theimaging device 16. In example embodiments, the sensors 18 may beconfigured to determine respective temperatures of locations 36 a . . .36 n (collectively, “locations 36”) on the portion 34 of the face and/orany of the other measurement sites described herein. In someembodiments, the sensors 18 may comprise non-contact temperature sensorsconfigured to determine the respective temperatures without contactingthe patient 14, the locations 36, and/or other measurement sites. Forease of description, and without limiting the extent of the presentdisclosure, such temperature determinations will be described hereinwith respect to the face of the patient 14 unless otherwise specified.

Additionally, the temperature measurement device 10 may include one ormore displays 20, signal devices 22, user interfaces 24, and/orcommunication devices 26. Further, one or more components of thetemperature measurement device 10 may be in communication with and/orotherwise connected to a controller 30 of the device 10 and/or memory 32associated with the controller 30. One or more components of thetemperature measurement device 10 may also be in communication withand/or otherwise connected to one or more remote components 28 of thesystem 100, and such remote components 28 may include one or morecontrollers, additional temperature measurement devices, servers,computers, databases, displays, hand-held devices, tablet devices,cellular phones, and the like. In such embodiments, the one or morecomponents of the temperature measurement device 10 may communicate withsuch remote components 28 via the communication device 26.

Whenever possible, like item numbers will be used throughout thisdisclosure to identify like components of the temperature system 100.Additionally, as will be described herein, the described implementationsof the present technology in the temperature measurement device 10 aremerely examples. The disclosed technology may be applicable to any othermedical device that may use one or more sensors to calculate, estimate,look-up, measure, sense, monitor, and/or otherwise “determine” atemperature of a patient 14. Such a temperature may include atemperature of a measurement site of the patient 14, and suchtemperatures may comprise surface or skin temperatures of the patient 14at the measurement site. Additionally, such a temperature may includeany internal temperature of the patient 14, such as a sub-skulltemperature, a rectal temperature, an oral temperature, an axillarytemperature, a “core” temperature, and/or any other like temperature ofthe patient 14. Additionally, the device 10 and/or one or more sensorsthereof may be configured to determine other indicators of patienthealth such as vaso-dilation, an emerging fever, a diminishing fever,and the like. Such indicators may be determined, for example, based atleast in part on one or more of the temperatures determined by thesensors 18. Such medical devices may include, for example, probes,scopes, and/or other like contact-based and/or noncontact-based devices.

The temperature measurement device 10 of example system 100 maycomprise, for example, a hand-held device having a first side 38 and asecond side 40 opposite the first side 38. Although not shown in FIG. 1,in some embodiments the device 10 may include a handle or other likecomponent configured to assist the user in holding, manipulating, and/ororienting the device 10 relative to the patient 14. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 1, the device 10 may be substantially rectangular,substantially square, and/or any other known shape. In exampleembodiments, the thickness (i.e., the distance between the first sideand the second side) and/or the length of the device 10 may be minimizedso as to improve the ergonomics of the device 10. Although not expresslylabeled in FIG. 1, the device 10 may include a one-piece or multi-piecehousing and/or other like components, and corners and/or edges of thedevice 10 may be sufficiently rounded and/or otherwise configured so asnot to cause injury to the patient 14 or the user upon contacttherewith. Further, the housing and/or other components of the device 10may be made from any material and/or combinations of materials commonlyused in medical and/or examination devices. Such materials may include,for example, plastics, polymers, composites, stainless steel, alloys,and/or any other like materials. Such materials may be suitable forrepeated use and/or repeated sanitation. Accordingly, in an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature measurement device10 and/or its components may be substantially waterproof. One or morewaterproof seals may be included and/or otherwise utilized withcomponents of the temperature measurement device 10 to facilitate suchrepeated sanitation and/or use.

In an example embodiment, the first sensor 12 may comprise a proximitysensor and/or other like device configured to determine a distancebetween the sensor 12 and one or more objects disposed in the vicinityof the sensor 12 without contacting the object. Such a sensor 12 mayalso be configured to determine the length, width, height, angularorientation, and/or other dimension or orientation of such objectsrelative to the sensor 12. Such dimensions may include, for example, aheight H of an ear of the patient 14, the height and/or width of a noseof the patient 14, the distance between the eyes of the patient 14, aninner-canthal distance, and/or any other like dimension. Such dimensionsmay also include, for example, a distance between various locations 36on the portion 34 of the patient's face or on an additional measurementsite. Such dimensions may be used to determine, for example, the age,gender, ethnicity, and/or other characteristics of the patient 14.

In example embodiments, the first sensor 12 may be configured todetermine whether and/or when the first sensor 12 (and, consequently,the temperature measurement device 10) is within a desired distancerange of the object. Such a distance range may correspond to, forexample, a field of view of the first sensor 12, and as noted above, anexample distance range may be characterized by the distance Dillustrated in FIG. 1. Such proximity sensors may include, for example,an inductive sensor, a magnetic sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitivephotoelectric sensor, a sonic distance sensor, and/or any other likeproximity sensor known in the art. In such embodiments, the first sensor12 may emit an electromagnetic field or beam of electromagnetic (such asinfrared) radiation. Such a field or beam may impinge upon the objectand at least a portion of the field of beam may return to the firstsensor 12. In such embodiments, the first sensor 12 may determine achange in the field or return beam, and may determine the distance Dbetween the first sensor 12 and the object based on the determinedchange. In such embodiments, the first sensor 12 may comprise aplurality of components including, for example, an emitter, a receiver,and/or other like sensing devices. Such an example first sensor 12 isfurther illustrated in FIG. 3.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1 and 3, in an example embodiment the firstsensor 12 may be disposed such that at least one of an emitter,receiver, and/or other component of the first sensor 12 is disposedsubstantially coplanar with the first side 38. In such embodiments, thefirst side 38 may be substantially coplanar with the plane A, and atleast a portion of the first sensor 12 may also be substantiallycoplanar with the plane A. As shown in FIG. 1, the distance range mayextend from the plane A to the plane B. As noted above, the plane B maybe substantially defined by the portion 34 of the face of the patient14, and the portion 34 of the face may comprise an inner-canthal region,a sinus region, a temple region, a cheek region, and/or other region ofthe face. As shown in at least FIG. 1, portion 34 of the face definingthe inner-canthal region may comprise a region of the face including thetear ducts. For example, such a region of the face may extend fromapproximately the nose of the patient 14 to at least a portion of eacheye (such as a corner of each eye), and may include at least a portionof the sinus region and/or upper cheek. The locations 36 on the portion34 may comprise particular points, areas, and/or other identifiablelocations within the specified region. In further example embodiments,however, the plane B may be substantially defined by any of thealternative measurement sites described herein. In example embodiments,the distance range described herein with respect to the first sensor 12may be less than approximately 24 inches. For example, the distancerange characterized by the distance D may be between approximately 0.01inches and approximately 24 inches, or alternatively betweenapproximately 6 inches and approximately 14 inches. It is understoodthat the first sensor may be tuned, focused, and/or otherwise configuredto employ a distance range that is not overly intrusive to the patient14 while the device 10 is being used to determine a temperature of thepatient 14. Further, minimizing the distance range may result in anincrease in the accuracy of the patient temperature determined by thedevice 10.

The imaging device 16 may comprise, for example, one or more digitalcameras, infrared sensors, and/or other like devices configured toassist in generating an image of the patient 14. For example, theimaging device 16 may comprise a digital camera operably connected tothe controller 30 and/or the display 20, and the imaging device 16 maybe configured to capture an image of the measurement site and/or otherportions of the patient 14. Alternatively or in addition, the imagingdevice 16 may be configured to collect thermal, infrared, and/or otherradiation emitted by the patient 14, and to assist in forming a thermalimage of the patient 14 using and/or based on the collected radiation.In such example embodiments, the imaging device 16 may be configured tosend information and/or signals to the controller 30 and/or the display20, and the display 20 may display an image of the patient 14 usingand/or based on such signals.

In example embodiments, the controller 30 may include components such asan image processor and/or image processing software configured toreceive information and/or signals from the imaging device 16. The imageprocessor may be configured to assist in forming the image of thepatient 14 based on such inputs. For example, in embodiments in whichthe imaging device 16 comprises a digital camera, the image processormay receive information and/or signals from the imaging device 16, andmay assist in forming a visual image of the patient 14 based on suchinputs. As shown in FIG. 2, such a visual image 42 may be illustrated onthe display 20 of the temperature measurement device 10.

Alternatively, in embodiments in which the imaging device 16 isconfigured to collect thermal, infrared, and/or other radiation emittedby the patient, the image processor may receive information and/orsignals from the imaging device 16 indicative of such collectedradiation. In such embodiments, the image processor may assist informing a thermal image (not shown) of the patient 14 based on suchinputs. Similar to the visual image 42 described above, the thermalimage may be illustrated on the display 20, and such a thermal image maycomprise a two or three-dimensional image, temperature gradient, and/ortemperature profile of the patient 14.

In example embodiments, the temperature measurement device 10 may beconfigured to determine one or more physical attributes of the patient14, and the controller 30 may be configured to automatically select anoperating mode of the device 10 based on the determined attribute. Forexample, the imaging device 16, the first sensor 12, and/or one or moreof the images described herein may be used by the image processor and/orother components of the controller 30 to determine a distance between afirst location 36 a on the portion 34 of the face of the patient 14 anda second location 36 b on the portion 34, a distance between at leastone of the first and second locations 36 a, 36 b and a third location 36c on the face of the patient 14, a length, width, height, and/or otherdimension related to an ear (such as the height H shown in FIG. 1),nose, eye, cheek, chin, and/or other body part of the patient 14, and/orother like attributes. One or more such attributes may be used todetermine, for example, the age, gender, ethnicity, and/or othercharacteristics of the patient 14, and the controller 30 mayautomatically select one or more temperature algorithms, lookup tables,neural networks, and/or other like temperature determination componentsor protocols for use based on such a determination.

For example, upon initial screening of the patient 14, the imagingdevice 16 may assist in generating a digital image 42 of the patient 14.Additionally, the first sensor 12 may determine one or more distancesassociated with the patient 14, such as a distance from the center ofthe pupil of the left eye of the patient 14 to the center of the pupilof the right eye of the patient 14. Alternatively, the distance from thecorner of the left eye to the corner of the right eye may be determined.In still further embodiments, the height H (e.g., top to bottom) of thepatient's ear may be determined. The imaging device 16 and/or the firstsensor 12 may send corresponding information and/or signals to the imageprocessor and/or other components of the controller 30, and suchcomponents may determine an age range of the patient 14 based on suchinputs. For instance, based on one or more such inputs, the componentsmay determine whether the patient 14 is an infant, an adolescent youth,or an adult. Upon making such a determination, the controller 30 mayselect a corresponding operating mode of the device 10 based on thedetermination. In such embodiments, selecting such an operating mode maycomprise selecting a set of temperature determination algorithms for usein core temperature determinations associated with the patient 14. It isalso understood that the controller 30 may select such an operating modebased at least partially on the determined distance and/or otherattributes of the patient 14 without making further determinations asto, for example, the age, gender, ethnicity, and/or othercharacteristics of the patient 14. Additionally, one or more of thedetermined attributes and/or characteristics may be illustrated on thedisplay 20 separately and/or as part of the image 42. Further, as willbe described in more detail below, the controller 30 may select anoutput type (e.g., providing a temperature based on an axillaryreference for pediatric patients, etc.) based at least in part on thedetermined distance and/or any of the above characteristics of thepatient 14.

The sensors 18 may comprise any devices configured to sense one or morevital signs or physical characteristics of a patient such as, forexample, temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation(hereinafter “SpO₂”), heart rate, and the like. In an exampleembodiment, at least one of the sensors 18 may comprise a temperaturesensor, such as a thermopile, thermocouple, and/or thermistor,configured to determine a temperature associated with the patient 14.For example, each of the sensors 18 may be configured to determine atemperature of respective locations 36 on the portion 34 of the face ofthe patient 14. Alternatively, each of the sensors 18 may be configuredto determine a temperature of other respective measurement sites of thepatient 14. It is understood that in some example embodiments,determining a temperature of the patient 14 with the temperaturemeasurement device 10 may include contacting one or more patientmeasurement sites with the temperature measurement device 10 and/or withat least a portion of one or more of the sensors 18. Alternatively, inother example embodiments, a temperature of the patient 14, such as acore temperature of the patient 14, may be determined without contactingthe measurement site and/or other portions of the patient 14 with thedevice 10 or with the sensors 18 associated therewith. For the durationof the disclosure, such noncontact temperature determination methodswill be described in greater detail unless otherwise specified.

In example embodiments, one or more of the sensors 18 may comprise aninfrared temperature sensor such as, for example, a thermopile and/orother like infrared-based temperature sensing devices. In still furtherembodiments, one or more of the sensors 18 may comprise an array ofpixels and/or other like sensing elements configured to determine atemperature of the various measurement sites described herein. Suchsensors 18 may be configured to convert thermal energy into electricalenergy, and may comprise two or more thermocouples connected in seriesor in parallel. Such components may be configured to generate an outputvoltage proportional to a local temperature difference and/ortemperature gradient. In an example embodiment in which one or more ofthe sensors 18 comprises at least one thermopile, the temperaturemeasurement device 10 may comprise, for example, an infraredthermometer. In such embodiments, the sensors 18 may be configured toreceive and/or emit radiation, such as thermal and/or infraredradiation. For example, the sensors 18 may be configured to sense,detect, collect, and/or otherwise receive radiation emitted by themeasurement site, such as, by respective locations 36 on the portion 34of the face of the patient 14. In such embodiments, the sensors 18 maybe configured to collect the radiation, and to send a signal to thecontroller 30 indicative of the collected radiation. For example, afirst sensor 18 a may be configured to collect radiation from a firstlocation 36 a, and a second sensor 18 b may be configured to collectradiation from a second location 36 b. In this way, the first sensor 18a may be configured to determine a temperature of the first location 18a while the second sensor 18 b may be configured to determine atemperature of the second location 36 b. The controller 30 may utilizethe information received from the sensors 18 for any number of knownfunctions. For example, the controller 30 may be configured to determinea core temperature of the patient 14 based on such information and/or onone or more additional inputs.

As shown in at least FIGS. 1 and 3, one or more of the sensors 18 may beembedded substantially within and/or formed integrally with the device10, and at least a portion of at least one of the sensors 18 may bedisposed substantially coplanar with the first side 38 and/or with theplane A. Additionally, each of the sensors 18 may have a respectivefield of view 19 a . . . 19 n (collectively referred to as “fields ofview 19”) that is characterized by a respective angle Θ_(a) . . . Θ_(n)(collectively referred to as “angles Θ”). For example, such fields ofview 19 may be substantially conical, substantially cylindrical, and/orany other three-dimensional shape, and may extend from each respectivesensor 18 a . . . 18 n to the measurement site. Such fields of view 19may be characterized by any desirable angles Θ commonly associated withthe sensors 18. For example, such fields of view 19 may be characterizedby angles Θ less than approximately 20 degrees, and in some embodiments,by angles Θ between approximately 5 degrees and approximately 15degrees. In such embodiments, the fields of view 19 may define the rangeand/or area of sensitivity for the corresponding sensors 18. Forexample, objects disposed within the field of view 19 a of the firstsensor 18 a may be detected and/or sensed by the sensor 18 a, and thesensor 18 a may not be capable of sensing objects disposed outside ofthe field of view 19 a. Similarly, objects disposed within the field ofview 19 b of the second sensor 18 b may be detected and/or sensed by thesecond sensor 18 b, and the sensor 18 b may not be capable of sensingobjects disposed outside of the field of view 19 b.

Additionally, such fields of view 19 may have any length commensuratewith the noncontact sensors 18 described herein, and the length of suchfields of view 19 may extend to and/or otherwise be characterized by thedistance D illustrated in at least FIGS. 1 and 4. In such embodiments,objects located at a distance less than or substantially equal to thedistance D (i.e., within the fields of view 19 a, 19 b of the sensors 18a, 18 b) may be detected and/or sensed by the sensors 18 a, 18 b, whileobjects located at a distance greater than the distance D (i.e., outsideof the fields of view 19 a, 19 b of the sensors 18 a, 18 b) may not bedetected and/or sensed by the sensors 18 a, 18 b. Accordingly, inexample embodiments the first sensor 12 may be configured to determinethat at least one of the first location 36 a is within the field of view19 a of the sensor 18 a and the second location 36 b is within the fieldof view 19 b of the sensor 18 b. In example embodiments, determiningthat the temperature measurement device 10 is located within a desireddistance range of the portion 34 of the face of the patient 14 mayinclude determining at least one of the first location 36 a is withinthe field of view 19 a of the sensor 18 a and the second location 36 bis within the field of view 19 b of the sensor 18 b. In suchembodiments, the first sensor 12 may be tuned such that the field ofview thereof (i.e., the desired distance range characterized by thedistance D) corresponds to and/or otherwise has a length substantiallyequal to the lengths of the fields of view 19 of the sensors 18. It isunderstood that in further embodiments, more than one distance may bedetermined by the first sensor 12 in order to determine whether, forexample, the temperature measurement device 10 is located within adesired distance range of the portion 34. In such embodiments, the firstsensor 12 may determine a respective distance between the locations 36a, 36 b and each of the respective sensors 18 a, 18 b to whether atleast one of the first location 36 a is within the field of view 19 a ofthe sensor 18 a and the second location 36 b is within the field of view19 b of the sensor 18 b. In still further embodiments, the device 10 mayinclude two or more first sensors 12 to facilitate determining multipledistances. In such embodiments, one sensor 12 may be configured todetermine a distance between the location 36 a and the sensor 18 a,while an additional sensor 12 may be configured to determine a distancebetween the location 36 b and the sensor 18 b.

The first sensor 12 may provide one or more signals to the controller 30indicating that at least one of the locations 36 a, 36 b is within acorresponding field of view 19 a, 19 b of a respective sensor 18 a, 18b, and the controller 30 may assist in providing one or more indications44 a, 44 b, 44 c (collectively referred to herein as “indications 44”)to the user of the device in response to such signals from the firstsensor 12. Such indications 44 may include audible, visible, and/ortactile indications, and example indications 44 are shown in at leastFIG. 2 as being illustrated in the image 42 of the patient 14 shown onthe display 20. For instance, a first indication 44 a may comprise avisible box, circle, window, and/or other marker overlaying the firstlocation 36 a in the image 42 of the patient 14, and a second indication44 b may comprise a visible box, circle, window, and/or other markeroverlaying the second location 36 b in the image 42. In suchembodiments, the first indication 44 a may be indicative of the firstlocation 36 a being disposed within the field of view 19 a of the firstsensor 18 a and the second indication 44 b may be indicative of thesecond location 36 b being disposed within the field of view 19 b of thesecond sensor 18 b. Example embodiments may also include additionalindications 44 c comprising one or more visible boxes, circles, windows,and/or other markers generally overlaying at least part of the face ofthe patient 14 in the image 42. In still further embodiments, suchindications 44 may include text, symbols, graphics, and/or other likenotations in the image 42 indicating that the device 10 is orientedand/or located such that the locations 36 are disposed within therespective fields of view 19. In example embodiments, such indications44 may not be shown in the image 42 until the device 10 is orientedand/or located as described above.

It is understood that such indications 44 may be useful in promptinginput from a user of the device 10. For example, upon hearing, feeling,and/or viewing such indications 44, the user may provide one or moreinputs via the display 20 and/or one or more of the user interfaces 24.For example, upon viewing one or more of the indications 44 a, 44 bindicative of the locations 36 a, 36 b being disposed within the fieldsof view 19 a, 19 b of the respective sensors 18 a, 18 b, a user of thetemperature measurement device 10 may actuate one of the user interfaces24 to activate one or more of the sensors 18. Alternatively, inexemplary embodiments in which the display 20 comprises a touch screenor other like device configured to accept input, the user may touchand/or otherwise interact with the display 20 to activate one or more ofthe sensors 18. In any of the embodiments described herein, thetemperature measurement device 10 may determine the temperature of thefirst location 36 a, the temperature of the second location 36 b, and/orthe core temperature of the patient 14 in response to input received bythe user. Alternatively, the temperature measurement device 10 maydetermine one or more of the above temperatures automatically (i.e.,without receiving input from the user) upon determining that the device10 is located within the distance range of the portion 34 of the face.The temperature measurement device 10 may also determine one or more ofthe above temperatures automatically (i.e., without receiving input fromthe user) upon determining that one or more of the locations 36 isdisposed within or more of the fields of view 19 described above. Inexample embodiments, the controller 30, image processor, and/or theimage processing software associated therewith may automaticallyactivate one or more of the sensors 18 to determine respectivetemperatures in response to, for example, determining that the device 10is located within the distance range of the portion 34 of the face. Instill further embodiments, the remote component 28 of the system 100 mayemploy such image processing software and may be operable toautomatically activate one or more of the sensors 18 to determinerespective temperatures in a similar fashion.

It is also understood that such indications 44 may be indicative of oneor more additional alignment parameters associated with the device 10and/or one or more of the sensors 12, 18, and such alignment parametersare illustrated in at least FIGS. 1 and 4-6. For example, such alignmentparameters may include the distance range described above with respectto the distance D. Additionally, the first sensor 12 may comprise one ormore gyroscopes, accelerometers, and/or other components configured todetermine an angular position of the temperature measurement device 10relative to another object. For example, the sensor 12 may be configuredto determine the magnitude of one or more angles formed between thetemperature measurement device 10 and the plane B substantially definedby the portion 34 of the face and/or other measurement sites of thepatient 14. In example embodiments, such angles may be formed betweenthe plane B and at least one of the sensor 12, the plane A, and thefirst surface 38, and any of the angles described herein may compriseadditional alignment parameters determined by the sensor 12.

With respect to the embodiment shown in the top view of FIG. 5, suchangles α_(a)-α_(c) may be formed by, for example, rotating and/orotherwise moving the temperature measurement device 10 from side to sideabout an axis C. In such embodiments, the axis C may be substantiallyparallel to the spinal axis E, and may extend along and/or within theplane B. In example embodiments, the sensors 18 may have a preferredangular alignment range F within which the accuracy of temperaturedeterminations made by the sensors 18 may be optimized. Such a preferredangular alignment range F may comprise an additional alignment parameterof the present disclosure, and the first sensor 12 may be configured todetermine when the sensors 18, and the temperature measurement device 10generally, are located within the preferred angular alignment range Frelative to the portion 34 of the face and/or relative to respectivelocations 36 on the portion 34. Additionally, one or more of theindications 44 described above may be provided to the user of the device10 in response to determining that the temperature measurement device 10is located within the preferred angular alignment range F.

Such angles α_(a)-α_(c) may be formed between the plane B and a normalline extending substantially perpendicularly from the plane A, the firstside 38, and/or the sensor 12 through the axis C. When, for example, thesensor 12 and/or the temperature measurement device 10 is disposedsubstantially parallel to the plane B, an angle α_(a) equal toapproximately 90 degrees may be formed between the plane B and thenormal line. Alternatively, rotating the temperature measurement device10 about the axis C, such as by rotating the temperature measurementdevice 10 about the face of the patient 14, may increase (angle α_(c))or decrease (angle α_(b)) the magnitude of the angle α formed betweenthe normal line and the plane B. In example embodiments, the sensors 18may determine temperatures of the respective locations 36 when thetemperature measurement device 10 is disposed substantially parallel tothe portion 34 of the face (i.e., when the angle α_(a) formed betweenthe plane B and the normal line is equal to approximately 90 degrees).It is understood, however, that temperature determinations made by thesensors 18 may also have an acceptable accuracy for some applicationswhen the angle α is within the preferred angular alignment range F. Sucha preferred angular alignment range F for the angle α may be betweenapproximately 75 degrees and approximately 105 degrees. The accuracy ofsuch temperature determinations may be considered “acceptable” when thetemperature measured using the sensors 18 is within approximately 10percent of a corresponding temperature measured using one or moreadditional sensors (not shown) via patient contact.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 6, rotating the temperaturemeasurement device 10 about an axis I may result in angles μ_(a)-μ_(c)formed between the plane B and the normal line extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the first side 38, plane A, and/or the first sensor12 through the axis I. In such embodiments, the axis I may extendsubstantially perpendicular to the axis C described above, and mayextend along and/or substantially within the plane B. When the sensor 12and/or the temperature measurement device 10 is disposed substantiallyparallel to the plane B, an angle μ_(a) equal to approximately 90degrees may be formed between the plane B and the normal line.Alternatively, rotating the temperature measurement device 10 about theaxis I, such as by rotating the temperature measurement device 10 fromthe forehead to the chin of the patient 14, may increase (angle μ_(c))or decrease (angle μ_(b)) the magnitude of the angle μ formed betweenthe normal line and the plane B. In additional example embodiments, theangle μ described herein may comprise a further alignment parameterassociated with the temperature measurement device 10.

In example embodiments, the sensors 18 may determine respectivetemperatures of the locations 36 when the temperature measurement device10 is disposed substantially parallel to the portion 34 (i.e., when theangle μ_(a) formed between the plane B and the normal line is equal toapproximately 90 degrees). It is understood, however, that temperaturedeterminations made by the sensors 18 may also have an acceptableaccuracy for some applications when the angle μ is within a preferredangular alignment range G. Such a preferred angular alignment range Gfor the angle μ may be between approximately 75 degrees andapproximately 105 degrees. As described above, the accuracy of suchtemperature determinations may be considered “acceptable” when thetemperature measured using the sensors 18 is within approximately 10percent of a corresponding temperature measured using one or moreadditional sensors (not shown) via patient contact.

The temperature measurement device 10 may additionally include at leastone window, lens, filter, and/or other like optical component (notshown) positioned proximate one or more of the sensors 12, 18, and/orthe imaging device 16. For example, such an optical component may bedisposed substantially flush and/or coplanar with the first side 38 ofthe device 10. Such optical components may be configured to assist in,for example, focusing, directing, and/or otherwise transmittingradiation to the sensors 12, 18, and/or the imaging device 16 forcollection. In additional example embodiments, such optical componentsmay assist in focusing, directing, and/or otherwise transmittingradiation emitted by one or more of sensors 12, 18. Such opticalcomponents may also assist in protecting the thermopile, thermocouple,thermistor, photo sensors, and/or other components of the sensors 12,18, and/or the imaging device 16 during use of the temperaturemeasurement device 10, and may assist in forming a substantiallyfluid-tight compartment (not shown) within the device 10 to protect suchcomponents from contact with bodily fluids, cleaning solutions, and/orother liquids. It is understood that such optical components may besubstantially transparent to assist in the transmission of infraredand/or other types of radiation. In example embodiments, the opticalcomponents may comprise one or more convergent, collimating, and/ordivergent lenses. Additionally, in such embodiments at least a componentof at least one of the sensors 12, 18 and/or at least a component of thecontroller 30 may be disposed within the substantially fluid-tightcompartment.

In further example embodiments, the temperature measurement device 10may include one or more actuation devices (not shown) associated withone or more of the sensors 12, 18, and/or the imaging device 16. Suchactuation devices may be operably connected to the controller 30 and maybe configured to move the sensors 12, 18, and/or the imaging device 16relative to the temperature measurement device 10. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 such actuation devices may be configured topivot the sensors 12, 18, and/or the imaging device 16 relative to thefirst side 38 and/or any other portion of the temperature measurementdevice 10. In such an example embodiment, the one or more actuationdevices may be configured to pivot the sensors 12, 18, and/or theimaging device 16 about a longitudinal axis L of the temperaturemeasurement device 10 extending substantially parallel to the plane Afrom a top of the device 10 to a bottom thereof. In further exampleembodiments, such actuation devices may be configured to move thesensors 12, 18, and/or the imaging device 16 longitudinally (i.e., alongthe longitudinal axis L) and/or laterally (i.e., transverse to thelongitudinal axis L) along the first side 38 of the temperaturemeasurement device 10.

The example actuation devices described above may comprise any electricmotor, servo motor, and/or other known device configured to assist inmoving one or more components of the sensors 12, 18, and/or the imagingdevice 16 relative to the device 10. Accordingly, it may be possible toform any of the angles α, μ described herein with respect to FIGS. 5 and6 through activation of one or more such actuation devices whilemaintaining the position of the temperature measurement device 10substantially stationary with respect to the plane B and/or the patient14. Additionally and/or alternatively, in further embodiments at leastone of the sensors 12, 18 and/or the imaging device may be positioned atan angle relative to, for example, the first side 38. For example, atleast one of the sensors 18 may be angled toward an axis X extendingsubstantially perpendicular from the longitudinal axis L and/or thefirst side 38. Such an example axis X is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In suchexamples, at least one of the sensors 18 may be angled inward and/orotherwise aimed toward the eyes and/or the inner-canthal region of theface of the patient 14. Additionally, in any of the examples describedherein, one or more of the sensors 12, 18 and/or the imaging device 16may be moveable in order to maintain focus on the respective locations36 as, for example, the patient 14 and/or the temperature measurementdevice 10 is moved. One or more of the sensors 12, 18 and/or the imagingdevice 16 may also be moveable in response to and/or based on thedetermination of one or more physical attributes of the patient 14. Suchphysical attributes will be described in greater detail below.

As discussed above, and as illustrated in at least FIGS. 1 and 2, thetemperature measurement device 10 may include one or more displays 20.An example display 20 may be operably connected to the controller 30and/or to the image processor thereof. The display 20 may comprise, forexample, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a light emitting diode(LED) display, a digital read-out, an interactive touch-screen, and/orany other like components configured to communicate information to theuser or to control the temperature measurement device 10. In addition tothe various indications 44 described herein, as shown in FIG. 2, suchdisplays 20 may be configured to indicate, for example, one or moredistances 46 a, such as the distance D associated with the distancerange and/or fields of view 19 described herein. Such displays 20 mayalso be configured to indicate temperatures 46 b determined by thesensors 18, and one or more temperatures 46 c, such as a coretemperature of the patient 14, determined based on signals received fromone or more of the sensors 18. Although FIG. 2 illustrates thetemperatures 46 b, 46 c being shown in separate respective windows onthe display 20, in further example embodiments, one or more of thetemperatures 46 b, 46 c, such as the temperatures determined by thesensors 18, may be shown on the display 20 within correspondingrespective indications 44 a, 44 b, or elsewhere on a correspondinglocation 36 of the face. Additionally, such displays 20 may beconfigured to indicate an ambient temperature 46 d associated with theenvironment in which the device 10 is being used, the name, age, gender,and/or any other information 46 e that may be useful during operation ofthe temperature measurement device 10. For example, the display 20 mayalso be configured to communicate information indicative of the anglesα, μ, fields of view 19, and/or other alignment parameters describedherein. The display 20 may also be configured to communicate informationindicative of additional physical characteristics of the patient 14including but not limited to disease state, injury, and emotional state.The display 20 may be configured to communicate such informationsubstantially simultaneously and/or substantially continuously dependingon the mode of operation of the temperature measurement device 10.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, example signal devices 22 ofthe temperature measurement device 10 may include, for example, one ormore lights, LEDs, speakers, and/or other like devices configured toemit an audible and/or visible alarm or signal in response to a commandor signal from the controller 30. Such an alarm or other signal may beinitiated by, for example, the controller 30 when a temperaturedetermined by the temperature measurement device 10 meets or exceeds athreshold temperature. In additional example embodiments, such an alarmor signal may be initiated during a substantially continuous temperaturedetermination operation where the rate of patient temperature changemeets or exceeds a predetermined temperature change rate threshold.

In further example embodiments, such an alarm or signal may be initiatedand/or otherwise communicated to a user of the temperature measurementdevice 10 based on one or more of the alignment parameters describedherein. For example, the signal device 22 may be configured to outputinformation indicative of one or more such alignment parameters toassist the user in positioning the temperature measurement device 10and/or the sensors 18 relative to the patient 14. In exampleembodiments, the signal device 22 may output an audible alarm, signal,and/or other indication indicating that the temperature measurementdevice 10 and/or the sensors 18 are disposed outside of the angularalignment ranges F, G and/or the fields of view 19 described herein.Alternatively, the signal device 22 may be configured to output anaudible alarm, signal, and/or other indication indicating when thetemperature measurement device 10 and/or the sensors 18 have beenpositioned within the angular alignment ranges F, G and/or the fields ofview 19 described herein.

In each of the example embodiments described herein, one or more of thesignal device 22 and the display 20 may be configured to request and/ordirect movement of the patient 14 relative to the temperaturemeasurement device 10, or vice versa. In such embodiments, for example,the signal device 22 and/or the display 20 may output one or moreaudible and/or visual signals or requests informing the user where toposition the patient 14 or the device 10. Such requests may comprise,for example, one or more visual alignment beams, visual images, and/oraudible communications/instructions indicating a desired movement of thedevice 10 relative to a substantially stationary patient 14. In stillfurther embodiments, such requests may comprise visual instructionsincluding one or more of the indications 44 described above.

The one or more user interfaces 24 of the temperature measurement device10 may be configured to assist in initiating, performing, and/orcontrolling one or more functions of the temperature measurement device10. For example, the user interfaces 24 may comprise any combination ofswitches, buttons, levers, knobs, dials, keys, and/or other likecomponents configured to activate, deactivate, manipulate, and/orotherwise control components of the temperature measurement device 10.Such user interfaces 24 may, for example, assist the user in togglingthrough and/or selecting one or more modes of operation of thetemperature measurement device 10, enabling and/or disabling one or moresensors 12, 18, imaging devices 16, alarms, and/or signal devices 22associated with the device 10, initiating a single substantiallyinstantaneous temperature determination, initiating a substantiallycontinuous and/or repeating temperature determination, and/or other likemodes, functions, or operations. Accordingly, one or more userinterfaces 24 may be operably connected to at least one of the sensors12, 18, the imaging device 16, the display, 20, and/or other componentsof the temperature measurement device 10. In an example embodiment, atleast one of the user interfaces 24 may be embedded substantially withinand/or otherwise formed integrally with the device 10 and/or a housingthereof. Additionally, in embodiments in which the display 20 comprisesa touch screen, one or more of the user interfaces 24 may be omitted.

The communication device 26 of the temperature measurement device 10 mayinclude one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers and/or otherlike communication components configured to send information to and/orreceive information from the remote component 28. In such exampleembodiments, the temperature measurement device 10 may be configured tosend and/or receive any of the information described herein with regardto the display 20, sensors 12, 18, imaging device 16, and/or othercomponents of the temperature measurement device 10 via suchcommunication devices 26. In such embodiments, a communication device 26of the temperature measurement device 10 may be configured to sendand/or receive such information to the remote component 28 of the system100 wirelessly via BLUETOOTH®, WIFI®, cellular networks, internetnetworks, or other like means. Such a communication device 26 may bedisposed at any convenient location on the temperature measurementdevice 10, and in additional embodiments, such a communication device 26may be disposed partially and/or completely internal to the temperaturemeasurement device 10. Such remote components 28 may be disposed at adifferent location in the same examination room as the device 10, in adifferent examination room and/or other location within the samehealthcare facility as the device 10, or in an entirely differenthealthcare facility than the device 10. Accordingly, the communicationdevice 26 may facilitate communication between a local temperaturemeasurement device 10 and a remote component 28 via any of the meansdescribed above depending on the relative locations of the device 10 andthe remote component 28.

The controller 30 may be operably connected to the user interfaces 24,display 20, sensors 12, 18, imaging device 16, communication device 26,and/or other components of the temperature measurement device 10, andthe controller 30 may be configured to control the operation of suchcomponents. In an example embodiment, the controller 30 may beconfigured to receive signals, information, measurements, and/or otherdata from the sensors 12, 18 and/or the imaging device 16, and todetermine a temperature value indicative of a core temperature of thepatient 14 based on the information received. The controller 30 may alsobe configured to execute one or more commands and/or control programs.In addition to the image processor described above, the controller 30may comprise memory 32, additional processors, and/or other knowncontroller components to facilitate the functionality described herein.In an example embodiment, the controller 30 may be disposed within, forexample, the housing of the temperature measurement device 10. In suchan embodiment, the housing may form one or more substantiallywater-tight and/or substantially hermetically sealed compartments forstoring the various components of the controller 30.

The example temperature measurement system 100 described herein may beutilized by physicians, nurses, health care professionals, and/or otherusers in a variety of different environments. For example, thetemperature measurement device 10 may be employed in any of a number ofexamination facilities to determine one or more temperatures associatedwith a patient 14 such as, for example, an estimated core temperature ofthe patient 14. Such an estimated core temperature may be utilized bythe health care professional to assist in treating the patient 14, andmay have a variety of uses that are well known in the medical field.

In example embodiments, the temperature measurement devices 10 disclosedherein may be configured to determine patient temperature and/or otherphysical characteristics of the patient 14 using one or morecontact-based and/or noncontact-based methods of patient evaluation. Forease of description, a noncontact-based method of temperaturedetermination will be described with respect to the flowchart 200 shownin FIG. 7.

In an example method of determining a temperature of a patient 14, thecontroller 30 and/or the first sensor 12 of the temperature measurementdevice 10 may, at step: 202 determine whether the device 10 is locatedwithin the distance range described above with respect to the portion 34of the face of the patient 14. As shown in at least FIG. 1, such adistance range may be characterized by the distance D extending from theplane B substantially defined by the portion 34 of the face, or any ofthe other measurement sites described herein, to the plane Asubstantially defined by the temperature measurement device 10. Such adetermination may comprise a proximity determination. In particular, thedistance range characterized by the distance D may correspond to and/ormay be substantially equivalent to the length of the fields of view 19associated with the sensors 18. Accordingly, determining at step: 202that the temperature measurement device 10 is located within such adistance range may comprise determining that the portion 34 of the faceand/or locations 36 on the portion 34 of the face are disposed within afield of view 19 a . . . 19 n of at least one of the sensors 18.

In example embodiments, determining that the temperature measurementdevice 10 is located within such a distance range at step: 202 mayinclude the first sensor 12 emitting a beam and/or a field of infraredradiation, at least a portion of which impinges on the portion 34 of theface. The first sensor 12 may also collect at least a portion of suchemitted radiation, and may determine the distance D between, forexample, the first sensor 12 and the plane B based on the collectedradiation. The first sensor 12 may also provide one or more signals tothe controller 30 indicative of the collected radiation and/or of thecorresponding distance D. Alternatively and/or in addition, at step: 202any other metric or process may be used by the controller 30 todetermine whether the device 10 is within an acceptable sensing rangeand/or field of view of the sensors 18. For example, instead ofdetermining the distance D between the first sensor 12 and the plane Bat step: 202, the imaging device 16 may be utilized to capture one ormore images of the face of the patient. The imaging device 16 may sendone or more signals to the controller 30 containing informationindicative of the image, and the controller 30 and/or the imageprocessors associated therewith may determine whether the device 10 iswithin a field of view of the sensors 18 based on such information. Forinstance, if the image processors are able to identify one or moreportions of the face, such as one or more of the locations 36, thecontroller 30 may determine that the device 10 has been properlypositioned relative to the patient 14 to determine surface temperaturesof the locations 36.

At step: 204, the controller 30 and/or the first sensor 12 may determinewhether the temperature measurement device 10 is disposed within one ormore alignment ranges relative to the plane B, and such alignment rangesmay include one or more of the preferred angular alignment ranges F, Gdescribed above. For example, the first sensor 12 may determine whetherthe device 10 is disposed between a minimum angle α_(b) and a maximumangle α_(c) defined by the plane B and a line normal to the plane A.Such angles α_(a), α_(c) are described above with respect to the topview shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, the first sensor 12 may determinewhether the device 10 is disposed between a minimum angle μ_(b) and amaximum angle μ_(c) defined by the plane B and a line normal to theplane A. Such angles μ_(a), μ_(c) are described above with respect tothe side view shown in FIG. 6. Further, as noted above, such angles α, μmay further define the fields of view 19 of the sensors 18, and theplane B may be substantially defined by any of the measurement sitesdescribed herein. Thus, determining that the temperature measurementdevice 10 is within one or more of the alignment ranges F, G at step:204 may comprise a further confirmation that at least one of the firstlocation 36 a is disposed within the field of view 19 a of the sensor 18a, and that the second location 36 b is disposed within the field ofview 19 b of the sensor 18 b. It is understood that the determinationsmade at step: 204 may be made by the first sensor 12 and/or thecontroller 30 substantially simultaneously with the determinations madeat step: 202.

In example embodiments, the imaging device 16 and/or the controller 30may assist in generating a visual and/or thermal image of the patient14, and such an image 42 may be displayed by the display 20 of thetemperature measurement device 10. Such an image 42 may be displayed onthe display 20 before, during, and/or after the determinations describedabove with respect to steps: 202, 204 have been made. Additionally, suchan image 42 may comprise a real time image and/or video of the patient14, and the image 42 may be displayed on the display 20 throughout thevarious temperature determination methods described herein.

At step: 206, the display 20, the signal device 22, and/or thecontroller 30 may provide one or more indications to a user of thetemperature measurement device 10 that the device 10 is located withinthe distance range described above with respect to step: 202. At step:206, the display 20, the signal device 22, and/or the controller 30 mayalso provide one or more indications indicating that the temperaturemeasurement device 10 is located within one or more of the alignmentranges F, G described above with respect to step: 204. As describedabove with respect to FIG. 3, such indications may include, for example,a first visual indication 44 a substantially overlaying the firstlocation 36 a on the portion 34 of the face shown in the image 42, and asecond visual indication 44 b substantially overlaying the secondlocation 36 b on the portion 34. In such embodiments, the image 42 maybe displayed on the display 20 throughout the temperature determinationmethods described herein, and at least one of the indications 44 may bedisplayed in the image 42 in response to at least one of thedeterminations described above with respect to steps: 202, 204.

One or more of the indications 44 described above may prompt the user ofthe device 10 to provide one or more inputs. For example, in embodimentsin which one or more of the indications 44 is indicative of the device10 being disposed at an acceptable distance D and/or within anacceptable alignment range F, G relative to the patient 14 (i.e.,relative to the plane B), the user may actuate one or more of the userinterfaces 24 or the display 22 direct one or more of the sensors 18 todetermine the temperatures of respective locations 36 on the portion 34of the face. It is understood that such inputs may be provided via thedisplay 20 in embodiments in which the display 20 comprises a touchscreen. Alternatively, in further embodiments the sensors 18 mayautomatically determine the temperature of respective locations 36 onthe portion 34 of the face in response to the determinations made at oneor more of steps: 202, 204. In such embodiments, step: 208 may beomitted.

At step: 210, the first sensor 12 and/or the controller 30 may determineone or more physical attributes of the patient 14. For example, at step:210 the first sensor 12 may determine at least one of a distance betweenthe first location 36 a and the second location 36 b, a distance betweenat least one of the first and second locations 36 a, 36 b and a thirdlocation 36 c on the face of the patient 14, and one or more dimensionsof the ear of the patient 14, such as a height H of the ear. The firstsensor 12 may provide one or more signals to the controller 30indicative of one or more such distances and/or dimensions, and thecontroller 30 may determine one or more of the physical attributes ofthe patient 14 described above based on such signals. Additionally, theimaging device 16 may assist in generating the image 42 described above,and the controller 30 and/or the image processor thereof may utilize theimage 42 to determine the physical attributes at step: 210. It isunderstood that such physical attributes may be indicative of, forexample, the age, gender, ethnicity, and/or other characteristics of thepatient 14. Further, the controller 30 may automatically select one ormore operating modes of the temperature measurement device 10 based onthe physical attribute determined at step: 210. Selecting such anoperating mode may include, for example, selecting one or morealgorithms, neural networks, lookup tables, and/or other like componentsor protocols for use in determining a temperature of the patient 14.

For example, if the controller 30 determines, at step: 210, that thepatient 14 is an adult, the controller 30 may, in response to thedetermination, automatically utilize one or more temperaturedetermination algorithms tailored toward treatment and/or diagnosis ofadult patients. Alternatively, if the controller 30 determines that thepatient 14 is a pediatric patient, the controller 30 may, in response tothe determination, automatically utilize one or more temperaturedetermination algorithms tailored toward treatment and/or diagnosis ofpediatric patients. A similar “tailored” algorithm and/or process may beemployed by the temperature measurement device 10 in response to thedetermination of patient gender and/or ethnicity. Accordingly, one ormore temperatures of the patient 14, such as a core temperature of thepatient 14, may be determined based on the operating mode selected bythe controller 30. Further, in such embodiments the controller 30 mayautomatically select an output type based on the one or more physicalattributes determined at step: 210. For example, upon determining thatthe patient 14 is a pediatric patient, the controller 30 may, inresponse, select one or more algorithms, neural networks, look-uptables, and/or other like protocols having an output comprising atemperature corresponding to an axillary temperature output. It isunderstood that the controller 30 may select such an output type (i.e.,an axillary temperature) since axillary temperatures are standard whentreating and/or monitoring pediatric patients. Further, in suchembodiments the physical attribute of the patient 14 may be entered,selected, and/or otherwise provided by the user of the device 10 atstep: 210.

At step: 212 at least one of the sensors 18, such as the sensor 18 a,and/or the controller 30 may determine a first temperature correspondingto the first location 36 a on the portion 34 of the face of the patient14. Additionally, at step: 212 at least one of the sensors 18, such asthe sensor 18 b, and/or the controller 30 may determine a secondtemperature corresponding to the second location 36 b on the portion 34of the face of the patient 14. In an example embodiment, the firstlocation 36 a may comprise a point or an area on the left inner-canthalregion of the patient 14, and the second location was 36 b may comprisea point or an area on the right inner-canthal region of the patient 14.In example embodiments, the portion 34 of the face used to obtain thefirst and second temperatures described herein may comprise a differentmeasurement site than that used to determine at least one of thedistance range and the angular alignment ranges F, G described abovewith respect to steps: 202 and 204. For example, while the forehead ofthe patient 14 may be used for the distance range determination at step:202, locations 36 on the inner-canthal region and/or other like portions34 of the face may be used for the temperature determinations at step:212. Additionally, in embodiments in which at least one of the sensors18 comprises an infrared sensor, the sensors 18 may collect radiationemitted by the respective locations 36, and may determine correspondingfirst and second temperatures based on such collected radiation. In suchembodiments, the sensors 18 may determine the first and secondtemperatures at step: 212 without contacting the patient 14. The sensors18 may also provide one or more signals to the controller 30 indicativeof the first and second temperatures determined at step: 212.

At step: 214, the controller 30 may determine a third temperature of thepatient 14 based on at least, for example, the first and secondtemperatures determined at step: 212. Such a third temperature maycomprise any of the temperatures described herein, and in someembodiments, the third temperature determined at step: 214 may comprisea core temperature. In some embodiments, the third temperature may alsobe determined based at least partially on, for example, one or more ofthe physical attributes determined at step: 210. For example, at step:214 at least one of the first and second temperatures may be utilized asinputs to one or more of the algorithms, neural networks, lookup tables,and/or other components selected based on the one or more physicalattributes determined at step: 210. At least one of the sensors 18 mayalso determine, for example, an ambient temperature of the environmentin which the temperature measurement device 10 is being used. In suchembodiments, the ambient temperature may also be utilized as an input tosuch components at step: 214. In such embodiments, the third temperaturedetermined at step: 214 may comprise an output of such components.

In example embodiments, the controller 30 may assign an arithmetic biasand/or other like weight factor to one or both of the first and secondtemperatures and/or the ambient temperature. Such a weight factor may beindicative of, for example, a priority of one of the determinedtemperatures relative to the other determined temperature, and such arelative priority may be useful when determining the core temperature ofthe patient 14 at step: 214. Such a weight factor may comprise, forexample, a constant and/or other like coefficient associated with theone or more determined temperatures, and such coefficients may be partof a core temperature determination algorithm employed by the controller30. The controller 30 may determine and/or associate such a weightfactor with one or more of the determined temperatures described hereinby using one or more weight factor look-up tables and/or weight factordata maps stored in the memory 32 of the controller 30. Moreover, thecontroller 30 may be configured to modify one of the determinedtemperatures based on the other determined temperature and the weightfactor assigned and/or otherwise associated with at least one of thedetermined temperatures. Such a modification may be based on the weightfactor associated with one or both of the determined temperatures, andsuch weight factors may be indicative of the relative correlationbetween such temperatures and the actual core temperature of the patient14. Moreover, such a modification may be performed by nature of the oneor more algorithms employed to determine the core temperature of thepatient 14.

At step: 214 the third temperature of the patient 14 may also becommunicated to the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, one or moreof the first and second temperatures 46 b, the ambient temperature 46 d,and/or the core temperature 46 c may be shown on the display 20.Additionally and/or alternatively, one or more such temperatures may beprovided to one or more of the remote components 28 via thecommunication device 26 of the temperature measurement device 10. It isunderstood that in some embodiments, one or more of the stepsillustrated in FIG. 7 may be combined and/or performed in a differentorder. For example, it is understood that data including the first andsecond temperatures described above with respect to step: 212 and/orinformation related to the physical attributes discussed with respect tostep: 210 may be collected during any of the steps shown in FIG. 7. Instill further embodiments, one or more of the steps illustrated in FIG.7 may be omitted. For example, in further embodiments at least one ofsteps: 202 and 204 may be omitted without deviating from the variousexample temperature determinations described herein.

Such noncontact-based methods of temperature determination may be usefulin a variety of applications. Such applications may include initialand/or patient intake screening, and situations in which the patient isuncooperative or unconscious. Such applications may also includesituations in which temperature determination through traditionalcontact-based methods is outside of a designed temperature range ofoperation or may place the user at an elevated risk of contact with, forexample, germs, viruses, contagious disease, patient bodily fluids,and/or other like substances or contaminants.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the embodiments described herein. For example, in example embodimentsthe temperature measurement device 10 of the present disclosure mayinclude one or more ports, connectors, terminals, and/or other likeconnection devices configured to enable communication between thetemperature measurement device 10 and one or more separate devices. Itis intended that the specification and examples be considered as exampleonly, with a true scope and spirit of the present disclosure beingindicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of determining a temperature of apatient, comprising: determining that a temperature measurement deviceis located within at least one of a distance range and an alignmentrange of a first portion of a measurement site of the patient; providingan indication to a user of the device that the device is located withinthe at least one of the distance range and the alignment range;determining, with the device, a first temperature of a first location onat least one of the first portion and a second portion of themeasurement site, without contacting the patient with the device;determining, with the device, a second temperature of a second locationon at least one of the first portion and the second portion of themeasurement site, without contacting the patient with the device,wherein the second location is different from the first location; anddetermining a third temperature of the patient based on the first andsecond temperatures.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondportion of the measurement site comprises an inner-canthal region of thepatient.
 3. The method of claim 1, further including determining atleast one of the first location is within a field of view of a firstsensor of the device and the second location is within a field of viewof a second sensor of the device.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thefield of view of at least one of the first and second sensors ischaracterized by an angle equal to between approximately 5 degrees andapproximately 15 degrees.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the distancerange is between approximately 6 inches and approximately 14 inches, andwherein the distance range extends from a plane substantially defined bythe first portion of the measurement site to a plane substantiallydefined by the device.
 6. The method of claim 1, further includingreceiving an input from the user in response to the indication, anddetermining at least one of the first temperature and the secondtemperature in response to the input.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding displaying an image of the patient, wherein the indication isillustrated in the image.
 8. The method of claim 7, further includingdisplaying at least one of the temperature of the first location, thetemperature of the second location, and the third temperature in theimage.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the indication illustrated inthe image comprises a first indication indicating that the firstlocation is within a field of view of a first sensor of the device, anda second indication indicating that the second location is within afield of view of a second sensor of the device.
 10. The method of claim1, further including determining a physical attribute of the patientwith at least one sensor of the device, and automatically selecting anoperating mode of the device based on the attribute, wherein the thirdtemperature comprises a core temperature determined based on theoperating mode.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the attributecomprises at least one of a distance between the first location and thesecond location, a distance between at least one of the first and secondlocations and a third location on the measurement site, and a dimensionof an ear of the patient.
 12. A temperature measurement device,comprising: a first sensor configured to determine that the device islocated within at least one of a distance range and an alignment rangeof a first portion of a measurement site of a patient; at least oneadditional sensor, the at least one additional sensor being configuredto determine a first temperature of a first location on at least one ofthe first portion and a second portion of the measurement site and asecond temperature of a second location on at least one of the firstportion and the second portion of the measurement site, wherein the atleast one additional sensor determines the first and second temperatureswithout contacting the patient, and wherein the first and secondtemperatures are determined in response to the first sensor determiningthat the device is located within the at least one of the distance rangeand the alignment range; and a controller in communication with thefirst sensor and the at least one additional sensor, the controllerbeing programmed to determine a third temperature of the patient basedon the first and second temperatures.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein the first sensor comprises a proximity sensor, and wherein thedistance range extends from a plane substantially defined by the deviceto a plane substantially defined by the first portion of the measurementsite.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one additionalsensor comprises a first infrared sensor configured to determine thefirst temperature and a second infrared sensor separate from the firstinfrared sensor, the second infrared sensor configured to determine thesecond temperature.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first andsecond infrared sensors have respective fields of view characterized byrespective angles equal to between approximately 5 degrees andapproximately 15 degrees, and wherein the distance range is betweenapproximately 6 inches and approximately 14 inches.
 16. The device ofclaim 12, further including a user interface in communication with thecontroller, the user interface configured to receive an input from auser of the device in response to determining that the device is locatedwithin the at least one of the distance range and the alignment range,wherein the at least one additional sensor is configured to determine atleast one of the first temperature and the second temperature inresponse to the input.
 17. The device of claim 12, further including adisplay in communication with the controller, the display configured toprovide an indication to a user of the device that the device is locatedwithin the at least one of the distance range and the alignment range,and to display an image of the patient, wherein the indication isillustrated in the image.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the atleast one additional sensor comprises a second sensor and a third sensorseparate from the second sensor, and wherein the indication illustratedin the image comprises a first indication indicating that the firstlocation is within a field of view of the second sensor, and a secondindication indicating that the second location is within a field of viewof the third sensor.
 19. The device of claim 12, wherein the device isconfigured to determine a physical attribute of the patient, thecontroller is configured to automatically select an operating mode ofthe device based on the attribute, and the attribute comprises at leastone of a distance between the first location and the second location, adistance between at least one of the first and second locations and athird location on the measurement site, and a dimension of an ear of thepatient.
 20. A method of manufacturing a temperature measurement device,comprising: providing a first sensor configured to determine that thedevice is located within at least one of a distance range and analignment range of a first portion of a measurement site of a patient;providing at least one additional sensor configured to determine a firsttemperature of a first location on at least one of the first portion anda second portion of the measurement site and a second temperature of asecond location on at least one of the first portion and the secondportion, wherein the at least one additional sensor determines the firstand second temperatures without contacting the patient, and wherein thefirst and second temperatures are determined in response to the firstsensor determining that the device is located within the at least one ofthe distance range and the alignment range; providing a controller incommunication with the first sensor and the at least one additionalsensor; and programming the controller to determine a third temperatureof the patient based on the first and second temperatures.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein providing the at least one additional sensorcomprises providing a first infrared sensor in communication with thecontroller and configured to determine the first temperature, andproviding a second infrared sensor in communication with the controllerseparate from the first infrared sensor, the second infrared sensorconfigured to determine the second temperature.
 22. The method of claim20, further including providing a user interface in communication withthe controller, the user interface configured to receive an input from auser of the device in response to determining that the device is locatedwithin the distance range, wherein the at least one additional sensor isconfigured to determine at least one of the first temperature and thesecond temperature in response to the input.
 23. The method of claim 20,further including providing a display in communication with thecontroller, the display configured to provide an indication to a user ofthe device that the device is located within the distance range, and todisplay an image of the patient, wherein the indication is illustratedin the image.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least oneadditional sensor comprises a second sensor and a third sensor separatefrom the second sensor, and wherein the indication illustrated in theimage comprises a first indication indicating that the first location iswithin a field of view of the second sensor, and a second indicationindicating that the second location is within a field of view of thethird sensor.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the display isconfigured to receive an input from the user in response to theindication.
 26. The method of claim 20, further including providing animaging device in communication with at least one of the controller andthe display, the imaging device being configured to assist in generatingthe image of the patient displayed on the display.
 27. The method ofclaim 20, further including providing a substantially fluid-tightcompartment within the temperature measurement device, wherein acomponent of at least one of the controller, the first sensor, and theat least one additional sensor is disposed within the compartment.
 28. Amethod of determining a temperature of a patient, comprising:determining that a temperature measurement device is located within atleast one of a distance range and an alignment range of a portion of ameasurement site of the patient; providing an indication to a user ofthe device that the device is located within the at least one of thedistance range and the alignment range; determining, with the device, atemperature from an inner-canthal region of the patient, withoutcontacting the patient with the device; and determining a coretemperature of the patient based on the temperature.